Biography

Torey Riser, a huge Manchester United supporter, is a native of Greenwood, SC where he attended Lander University, majoring in Music Education. Mr. Riser currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Secretary of Administration for the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association, a seat he has held since 2016 and recently re-elected into for a second term. 

Since 2004, Mr. Riser has worked with many successful high school programs in South Carolina as an instructor, designer, and composer, including: BHP High School (2004-07), Greenwood High School (2008-2012), Bluffton High School (2013-2014), and, since 2014, has served as Director of Percussion for Ninety Six High School and Edgewood Middle School in Ninety Six, SC.

Throughout his career, Mr. Riser has worked with many professional percussion ensembles in the state, including Palmetto Percussion (2010), North Greenville Independent (2016), Civitas Independent (2018-2019) and Palmetto Indoor Theatre (2020-2022). He is currently the show designer for Ninety Six High School and Greenwood High School, and served as the music arranger for Charles Towne Independent (PSA) from Charleston, SC.

Recently, Mr. Riser has teamed up with the top percussion educators in the state to create a new indoor non-profit ensemble known as Palmetto Indoor Marching Arts. Mr. Riser serves on the board of directors and helped begin and maintain the organization since its inception in 2020.

Since joining Ninety Six High School in 2014, Mr. Riser has helped the program deliver 4 straight SCBDA Marching Band 1A State Championships (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and, after founding the school’s first ever indoor percussion program in 2015, 4 straight SCBDA Indoor PSA State Championships. The indoor percussion ensemble has also won 2 CWEA titles, 1 WGI Regional (2016) and advanced to WGI Semifinals (2018, 2019), narrowly missing out on finals both seasons. In 2021, the Indoor Percussion Ensemble were the CWEA Virtual Champions during their COVID-effected season.

Recently, the Indoor Percussion Ensemble achieved their greatest accomplishment, making the 2022 World Finals at the WGI Indoor Percussion World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. The ensemble placed very well all season and then, at finals, finished in 3rd place taking the Bronze Medal at World Championships.

In the past, Mr. Riser coached Boy's Soccer at Westview Middle School (2010-2012), Boys Varsity/JV Soccer at Battery Creek High School (2014) and Varsity Girls Soccer at Ninety Six High School (2015-2018).

In his free time, should he ever have any, Mr. Riser likes to hack it around the golf course (he’s a 4 handicap), fish, visit the beach, shoot hoops and hang out with his new puppies Georgia and Lily.

Mr. Riser would like to credit E.L. Manigo, Victor Perez, Tiger Woods, A.J. Pace, Erik Crook, Colin Brown, Joel Gardner, Luiz Riviera, Mike McIntosh, Paul Rennick, Cliff Sutton, Mike Leitzke and Chris Turner for their direct and indirect influences on his life as a music educator.

Welcome to Percussion Studies!

Mr. Torey Riser <> Room 112 <> [email protected] 

Course Information: Percussion Studies is an introduction into the exciting world of percussion. students will learn about various styles of drumming, as well as study instruments from different genres of percussion. The main objective of the class will be learning the fundamentals and basic techniques of playing a snare drum. 

Objectives for the semester:

• 5 Checkpoints of a Proper Grip
• Correct Posture and Stance
• Different Stroke Types (Rebound, Multi Bounce, Staccato)
• Rudiments (Taken from the Official PAS 40 Essential Rudiments)
• Rhythm and Tempo Control
• Basic music reading

Materials:

Text: A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum by Mark Wessels

Web: http://www.vicfirth.com

YouTube Channel: A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum by Mark Wessels

Metronome Online: http://www.metronomeonline.com

drum sticks: Vic Firth SD1 Generals

drum pad: Vic Firth Exacto-Pad

South Carolina Standards for Music Education (addressed daily)

1. The student will sing and perform on instruments a variety of music, alone and with others.
2. The student will read and notate music.
3. The student will listen to, describe, analyze and evaluate music and music performances.
4. The student will examine and perform music from a variety of cultures and stylistic periods.
5. The student will make connections between music and other arts disciplines, other content areas and the world.

Grading: Major = 30% (major tests, approximately every 2 weeks)/Minor = 70% (Daily/Weekly Grades)

*All Grades will be kept up to date on powerschool

IMPORTANT NOTES:

NO FOOD, DRINK, OR CHEWING GUM IS ALLOWED IN MR. RISER’S ROOM AT ANY TIMES

CELL PHONES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE

FOUL/INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED

ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL, HAVE GOOD ATTITUDES, AND PARTICIPATE AT ALL TIMES.